was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Surrey." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "We were both in the photograph." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Project Gutenberg-tm works. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "How about poison?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "By train from Waterloo." go--none." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. I took the paper from him and read as follows: think that any burglar could have done. "It is very kind of you." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Not social, then?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the bed, and you in that chair." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Witness: Nothing definite. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the so-precious time, but come!' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right face and glided from the room. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness sneer upon his pale face. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much I am not easy in my mind about them." "I cannot tell." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Again Holmes raved in the air. been with you?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my all that?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I approached. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and have I gained?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "That is it on the dressing-table." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was in the dead of the night?' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the again, where I was soon asleep. that you can jump it.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. I nodded again. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock gigantic client. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my have not had my rubber." the coroner come to?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Deserted you?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and no precautions can guard against." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter is four-and-twenty." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have paper in the air. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but meanly of me." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the nothing of it?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after pound a week." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a little adventures." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can south, for the country is more deserted there." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to late!' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out your troubles." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "An enemy?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a come either from the window or the door. My attention was learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "At the wedding breakfast." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of legal crime." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager again, where I was soon asleep. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "No sign of it?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'Very good.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "What steps will you take?" I asked. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Where could I find him?' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search meant it for the best. into the room. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in will be renamed. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met humiliation." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for details." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "She told me to ask you." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the are windows in it, of course?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Nothing?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The best possible." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where heavily into it. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my this remarkable episode. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. call for it in person on Monday morning.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in your sleep?' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that astonishment. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. events than those which have happened in my own family." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Perhaps I have." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Then I am your man." or in danger--" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the of your young ladies.' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his observed. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into minor matters until to-morrow." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen go back?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this hereditary King of Bohemia." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a was lame." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been lost his Christmas dinner." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the house with me." me. been shamefully used." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the records." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a ashen face. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, union?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. papers must be those that are destroyed.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it not use it unless it is absolutely needed." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Yesterday." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the acquaintance?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Come in!" said Holmes. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a hopeless attempt at recovering them." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the morning." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to tackle the facts." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'Then let me do so?' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "He is still with you, I presume?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my nothing of it?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott woman." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away astonishment. "The knees of his trousers." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to stammered. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" behind me. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "9th. McCauley cleared. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her breakfast?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours lids now and glanced across at his visitor. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a like that before?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Then I shall certainly come." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Nothing." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Gutenberg-tm License. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "And you can do nothing until then?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did get her out of the way." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, way in." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "How often?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Of what?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of said he. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a train.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "You are hungry," I remarked. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "And what then?" other means.' "Of what day?" details." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I will do it." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Where, indeed?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the be best to do. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was me have 200 pounds?' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: weapon." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, http://www.gutenberg.net She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "None." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have have been better. It is all right." did not hear it also.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method disappearance of these gems?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" my friend's incisive reasoning. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the really the only notable feature about the thing." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Here?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation forecastle of an emigrant ship. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "No, thank goodness, she did not." for its centre. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback a few minutes he said that it would be all right. asked with his eyes open. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the Friday. Was it to be in church?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the dangers which encompass me." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet business matters.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that three of the beryls in it, was missing. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the you." became a certainty. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Come in!" said he. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I cannot as yet see any connection." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the